Small-arms.



PatBn't-ed Nov. I8, |902.

s. .1. EvANs. SMALL ARMS.

-App1icatou filed June 20, 1900.)

NoRms amas co, Fuero-L ma wAsHmnroN D c www Pat'ented Nov. I8', |902. S. J. EVANS.

SMALL ARMS (Application led June 20, 1900.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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Tus umm a PETERS cu.. PHoTou'mo., WASH Patensd Nov. I8, |902. S. J. EVANS.

SMALL RM'S. (Applimion med June 2o, 1900.)

4' Sheets--Sheaf 3.

(Nb Model.)

'Patented Nov. I8, |902. s. .L EVANS. SHALL ARMS. Applica'sion med imma 2o, 1900.)

' 4 sheets-sheet 4.

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the magazine and adjacent parts.

NiTnD STATES SAMUEL J. EVANS, 0F ROANOKE, VIRGINIA.`

SMALL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters'Patent'No. 713,623, dated November 18, 1902.

g Application filed June 20, 1000.

To a/ZZ whom, t 4may concern.'

Be it known that 1, SAMUEL J. EvANs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Roanoke, in the county of Roanoke and State of Virginia, have made a certain new and usefulInvention in SmallArms; and I declare the following to` be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of referencelnarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my gun, partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the same on a larger scale, the parts being in positions assumed after iiring the piece and after the barrel is brought in line with the magazine. Fig. 4 is a view similar to IFig. 3 with parts in position for tiring the piece. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 and showing parts in positions assumed after firing the piece and rotating the breech-bolt. Fig. 5 is a companion view to Fig. 5, showing breech-bolt retracted. Fig. 6 is a sectional detailview showing the shell partially retracted and adjacent parts. Fig. 7 is a det-ail view illustrating plate G1 in its forwardly-projected position and adjacent parts. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the eccentric and its strap for cocking theV piece. Fig. 8a is a. detail view 4of the breech-bolt and itsV Fig. 8b is a sectional detail view of the receiver to show gnideways h2 and g2. Fig. 9 is a section on the line :1:00, Fig. 3. Fig. 10 is a section on the line y y, Fig. 3. Fig. 11 shows door D in front elevation. Fig. 12 is a detail sectional View showing the means for bracing the barrel against the force of the discharge. Fig. 13 is a detail View of the breech-bolt and its lever. Fig. 14 is a view illustrating the wa-ll j" of the shell-exit and the manner of ejection of the shell. Fig. .15 is a sectional detail view showing the barrel` and its actuating-spring. Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section through the stock, showing Fig. 17 is a transverse section of the stock through the magazine. Fig. 18 is a detail view of eject-j ing-fmgerfil, its lateral extension fx, and the inclined wall fg. Fig. 19v is a' transverse secsenti No. 20,990. (no model.)

tion of the breech-bolt and its sleeve on the line of the lug G3. on the line of the lug G2. Fig. 21 is a rear view of the breech-bolt and its handle-lever, showing such lever locked in its cam-slot. Fig. 22 is a detail fragmentary view showing the rack A5 seated in rack A4 in position to be released therefrom before the engagement of the teeth of gear-wheel A3 with the teeth of rack A4.

Thisv invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements in magazine smallarms, and has for its object the provision of such an armwhich, first, will be susceptible of use as a single-loader with the magazine held in reserve and also well adapted for such use when the magazine is empty; second, in which the cu t-off is entirely automatic and protected from inadvertent operation; third, in which the magazine may be readily loaded or replenished with single cartridges; fourth, in which the fioor of the receiver is of such form that cartridges may be laid upon it and without assistance of the hand pushed by the bolt into the chamber, and this whether the magazine be empty or charged and held in reserve; fifth, in whichthe bolt is in one piece with its head and handle; sixth, in which the bolt is sustained under the force of discharge by lugs at its forward and rear ends'engaging slots in Fig. 20 is a similar view the wall of the receiver and in which an auxt 'iliary support is providedv at the rear end thereof bythe handle also engaginga slot in the receiver; seventh, in which the initial movement in unlocking the bolt and starting the empty shell is given by amovement of rotation by a cam-action and in which the final seating of the cartridge and locking of the bolt is accomplished in a similar manner;

eighth, in which the bolt must be locked bel fore the firing-pin can reach the primer; ninth, in which in case of misfire the piece may be recocked without moving the bolt; tenth, in which the extractor is strong and does not partake of the bolts rotation; eleventh, ,in which the ejector will throw the empty shell clear of the gun and soldier and without excess of force; twelfth, in which thev cocking of the piece is effected by return movement of the barrel in loading from the magazine and independently of the bolt; thirteenth, in which cocking of the piece is eected by a IOO simple rotation of the bolt when using as a single-loader; fourteenth, in which-the mechanism is strong, light, and simple, composed of few parts, readily dismounted without the use of special tools, and readily assembled with few screws and pins, and, fifteenth, in which easy and smooth working of the mechanism, whether the gun be clean or foul, is not sacrificed for eXtreme rapidity of action.

With these objects in view the invention consists, broadly, in small-arms having a barrel adapted to move downwardly at the breech end thereof in line with the magazine, means for effecting such movement of the barrel, means for ejecting the empty shell in the course of such movement, means for impelling the cartridges from the magazine into the chamber, means for returning the barrel to normal position, and means for cooking the piece through such return movement of the barrel.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the barrel of the gun, which is intermediately pivoted to swing downwardly at the breech end under the influence of the strong spring B in line with the magazine B, which is located in the lower portion of the stock longitudinally thereof. The barrel is returned to normal position by upward movement of the main lever A', directly connected with the gear-wheel A2, in mesh with the pinion ct upon the shaft of gear-wheel A3, in mesh with the arcuate rack A4, depending from the rear extremity of the barrel, to which it is rigidly connected. The barrel is locked in normal position by a second rack A5 at about right angles to said firstnamed rack, in a locking-recess a' of which it enters just before the barrel has stopped moving and in which it is further forced after the barrel has ceased to move by engagement therewith of a second pinion a2 upon the shaft of gear-wheel A3, the teeth of gear-wheel A3 being at the same time-t. c., after the barrel has ceased to move-withdrawn from mesh with the teeth of rack A4.

The magazine-chamber B has a plug at its rear extremity which screws thereinto at the end of the stock. The cartridges are -placed in line in this chamber and are pressed forwardly by a strong spiral spring d. The forward opening of the magazine is guarded by a vertical door D', hinged to and moving with the rack A4 and spring-pressed to resist the pressure of the spring d upon the cartridges. It will thus be noted that when the piece is loaded from the magazine and the barrel starts to return to normal position this door D immediately and automatically cuts off the cartridge next in line and is prevented from being inadvertently operated by the slotted shell Z,which in closes the barrel and in which it works at the breech end. This door D may be pressed upwardly upon its hinges by hand and the magazine loaded at such point, or a second horizontal spring-pressed door D2 at the lower forward portion of the stock may be utilized for this purpose. A follower d is attached to the spring d at its forward end and is provided with a push-button d2, extending through a slot d3 in the stock, whereby the spring d may be pressed to the rear or retracted in loading the magazine.

The hammer E of the piece has a forwardlyprojecting lug e upon its pivot-pin, which lug is engaged by a spring-catch e, carried by the gear A2,which is in direct connection with the main lever A to cock the hammer upon rotation of said gear when the barrel is returning to normal position. This catch e springs past the lug e upon reverse rotation of such gear. 'Ihe lever A,which is of looped form, is slotted for the passage of the trigger and is provided with a retaining-catch a3. This catch a3 acts as a safeguard to prevent accidental movement of lever A.

At the side of the receiver, about intermediate of its height, is located the eXitf for the empty shells, having an inclined rear wall f and with which the barrel is brought in line when lowered at the breech end. At such time the ejecting-ngerf2, engaging the basegroove of the shell, is instantaneously thrust outwardly by its strong spring f3 to eject the shell. The rod f4, carrying the ejectingspring, has a catch projection in engagement with a pivoted spring-catchy5 to hold such spring retracted until the barrel is almost in line with the shell-exit, when the rear arm of said catch, through a laterally-extending roller f6 thereof, is brought against a second pivoted spring-catch f7, located in an offset chamber]C8 of the shell Z, and released from such engagement. Upon continued movement of the barrel a lateral extensionf of the ejecting-nger is brought against an inclined wall]9 and retracted to compress its spring, the rod carrying the same being again caught and held by the catch f5, which has sprung past the catch f7. Upon reverse movement of the barrel the catch]7 gives way to allow passage of the catch f5.

I will now proceed to describe the means whereby the piece is susceptible of use as a single-loader with the magazine held in reserve.

The breech-bolt G, which when the piece is loaded from the magazine remains stationary and untouched, is arranged to have both a rotary and a sliding movement in the receiver under the iniiuence of power exerted upon the handle -lever G thereof, which works under rotation in a cam-slot g in the wall of such receiver to unlock and slightly retract the bolt to give the initial movement in retracting the empty shell, which is gripped at its base-groove by an extractor g upon a sleeve GX, surrounding and carried by the bolt and having bearings in the receiver. The handle-lever of the bolt is thus locked in its cam-slot to support the bolt against the force of the discharge, an auxiliary support being provided in a radial lug Gr2 of the bolt, which lughas a sliding movement in a guide- IOO IIO

way g2 in the wall of the receiver when the bolt is pulled back to loading position, but which when the bolt is pushed forward and rotated by pressing down upon the handlelever, which turns in its cam-slot, enters an arcuate slot g3 in the wall of the receiver. A second auxiliary support is provided by a lug G8 at the forward end of the bolt and which under rotation of the bolt enters a second arcuate slot g4 in the wall of the receiver. The lug G2 when the bolt is pulled back to load slides throughout such movement in the guideway g2, a suitable stop in which groove limits the backward movement of the bolt. This way g2 also prevents any rotation ofthe boltthroughoutsuch movement. An additional stop to limit backward movement of the bolt is provided at g. The bolt when thus pulled back to loading position drags the shell with it by its extractor aforesaid, which shell when entirely out of the chamber drops from said extractor through the shell-exitf, which has an inclined lower wall. Acting in connection with the extractor g is a spring-pressed plate G4, carried by the sleeve GX and with which said plate has a sliding engagement. When the rearmost part of the shell is retracted from the chamber, plate G slides forwardly thereunder to holdA the shell in engagement with such extractor and remains thereunder until the timewhen the forwardmost part of the shell is being retracted from the chamber, when suchiplate is retracted underneath the breech-bolt and sleeve thereof to allow the shell to escape. This retraction is accomplished by a lever g5, fulcrumed intermediately thereof to sleeve GX and pivoted at one end portion thereof to the plate andhaving its opposite end portion working in a slot g6 of the receiver and abutting against the rear Wall of such slot to effect the retraction at the proper time. In loading, the cartridge is slid back upon the plate into engagement at its base-groove with the extractor and is so held and forced into the chamber in movin-g the bolt forwardly, the plate-moving back under the bolt and its sleeve through abutment of the lng Q7 of the plate against the forward wall of the slot Q6. The receiver is open at the bottom, and the sleeve GX is provided', therefore, with bearings in the side walls of such receiver; The shell-exit communicates with the open bottom of the receiver.

In order to cock the piece, I provide the eccentric II upon the bolt, forming the head thereof, which under rotation of the bolt actuates the strap H', havinga connection with the lug I-I2 upon the hammer-shaft. In order to keep this strap in raised position when the piece is cocked and the bolt and eccentric drawnback to load, the longitudinal ribs h aforesaid) enter ways 71, in said strap upon one side thereof, while tne eccentric H is just :ready to disengage from the strap upon the opposite side thereof. These ribs and ways remain in engagement in rearward and back movement of the bolt and only part company when the bolt is rotated to give it the final movement forward to seat the cartridgein the chamber.

In operation with the magazine in use the main lever A ispulled down a short distance to disengage the rack A5 from its seatin the rack A4 to release the barrel, such movement of lever Aalso establishing theengagement of the teeth of gear-wheel A3 audrack A4, the barrel immediately dropping at the breech end under the iniiuence of its spring B into line with the magazine, the' empty shell being in the meantime ejected, and a new cartridge is shot into place. This movement of the barrel under the infiuence of its spring fully lowers the lever A through engagement of rack A4 with gear-Wheel A3. The main lever A is then pulled upwardly to return the barrel to normal position, where it is'locked by the rack A5, and to automatically cock the piece ready for use.

In operation as asingle-loader the bolt is first rotated a semircvolution, being at the same time drawn back a short distance by the action ofthe cam-slot upon its lever to start the empty shell. This rotation of the bolt also unlocks it, bringing it in position for backward movement to leave space for the insertion of the cartridge and likewise cocks the piece through the cam-head of the bolt in connection with the hammer.

The barrel is braced against the force of the discharge by the extensions AX of the frame working in the arcuate grooves AX of the barrel, Fig. l2.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel4 adapted to move downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, means for automatically elfecting such movement of the barrel, and means for returning the barrel to normal position, substantially as specified.

2. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel adapted to move downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, means for automatically ejecting the empty shell in the course of such movement, means for automatically effecting such movement of the barrel, and means for returning the barrel to normal position, substantially as specified.

3. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel adapted to move downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, means for automatically effecting such movement, means for returning the barrel to normal position, and means for automatically cooking the piece through such return movement of the barrel, substantially as specified.

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4. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel adapted to move downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, means for automatically effecting such movement of the barrel, means for returning the barrel to normal position, and means for automatically locking the barrel in normal position, substantially as specified.

5. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel, adaptedfto move downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, and having a rack, a spring for effecting such movement of the barrel, a train of gear-wheels in engagement with such rack, and a lever actuating said gear-train to return the barrel to normal position, substantially as specified.

6. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel adapted to move downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, and having a rack, a spring for effecting such movement of the barrel, a train of gear-wheels in engagement with such rack, a lever engaging said train of gear to return the barrel to normal position, and a second rack in engagement with such train of gear, and arranged to lock said barrel in normal position, substantially as specified.

7. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel adapted to move downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, and having a rack, a spring for effecting such movement of the barrel, a train of gear-wheels in engagement with such rack, a lever engaging said gear-train to return the barrel to normal position, and means for cooking the piece through movement of said gear-train, substantially as specified.

8. 'In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel adapted to move downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, and having a rack, a spring for effecting such movement of the barrel, means for ejecting the empty shell in the course of such movement, a train of gear-wheels in engagement with such a rack, and a lever engaging said gear-train to return the barrel to normal position, substantially as specified.

9. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel adapted to move downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, a spring for effecting such movement of the barrel, means for returning the barrel to normal position, a shell-exit with which said barrel is brought in line in the course of its movement, aspringfinger gripping the shell, a catch engaging said nger to hold it back, and means for automatically releasing and for automatically rengaging such catch, substantially as specified.

10. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel adapted to swing downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, and having a rack, a spring for effecting such movement of the barrel, a train of gear in engagement with such rack, a lever engaging said gear-train to return the barrel to normal position, a shellexit with which the barrel is brought in line in the course of its movement, a spring-finger gripping the shell, a catch engaging said finger to hold it back, and means for automatically releasing and for automatically rengaging such catch through such movement of the barrel, substantially as specified.

11. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel arranged to swing downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, a spring for effecting such movement of the barrel, means for returning the barrel to normal position, and a gate arranged to automatically cut off said magazine as the barrel returns to normal position, substantially as specified.

12. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel, arranged to swing downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, a spring for effecting such movement of the barrel, means for returning the barrel to normal position, and a gate attached to and moving with the barrel to automatically cut off said magazine, substantially as specified.

13. In small-arms, the magazine, the spiral spring at the rear of said magazine, the barrel arranged to swing downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, and having a rack, a spring for eecting such movement of the barrel, a train of gear-wheels in engagement with such rack, a lever engaging said gear-train to return the barrel to normal position, and a spring-pressed gate hinged to said rack to automatically cut off said cartridges, substantially as specified.

14. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel arranged to swing downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, and having a rack, a spring for effecting such movement of the barrel, a train of gear-wheels in engagement with such rack, a lever engaging said gear-train to return the barrel to normal p0- sition, a gate attached to, and moving with the barrel to automatically cut off such magazine upon such return movement of the barrel, and a spring-pressed charging-door at the lower forward portion of such magazine, substantially as specified.

15. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel arranged to swing downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, a spring for effecting such movement of the barrel, means for returning the barrel to normal position, a gate arranged to automatically cut off such magazine as the barrel returns to normal position, and a charging-door at the lower forward portion of such magazine, substantially as specified.

16. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel arranged to move downwardly at the breech end in line with such magazine, and havinga rack, a spring for eecting such movement of the barrel, a train of gear-wheels in engagement with such rack, a lever engaging such gear-train to return the barrel to normal position, a spring-pressed gate hinged to said rack to automatically cut off said magazine, and a charging-gate at the lower forward portion of the magazine, substantially as specified.

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such magazine through movement of suchl barrel, the longitudinally-movable breechbolt, and means for automatically cocking the piece through such movement of the breech-bolt, substantially as specified.

19. In small-arms,the magazine, the breechbolt arranged to have a rotary and a longitudinal movement in the receiver, which is open at the bottom thereof, the sleeve having bearings in the side Walls ot' the receiver, moving longitudinally with such bolt and in which the bolt rotates, the extractor carried by said sleeve, means carried by said sleeve, and act` ing in connection With such extractor to support the shell, means for starting the retraction of such bolt and shell through rotary movement of the bolt, said receiver having a shell-exit communicating with its open bottom, and means for releasing the shell from its support When in line with such exit, substantially as specified.

20. In small-arms, the magazine, means for cutting oif such magazine, the rotatable breech -bolt, and means for automatically cocking the piece through rotation of the breech-bolt, substantially as specified.

2l. In small-arms, the magazine, means for cutting ott such magazine, the breech-bolt arranged to have arotary and a longitudinal movement in the receiver which is open at the bottom thereof, the sleeve having bearings in the side Walls of the receiver, moving longitudinally With such bolt, and in which it rotates, the extractor carried by said sleeve, means carried by said sleeve, and acting in connection With such extractor to support the shell as it is Withdrawn, the handle-lever upon such bolt, the cam-slot in the receiver in which said lever locks, and in which it works to start the retraction of bolt and shell, a lug upon said bolt working in an arcuate slot in the Wall of the receiver to lock the bolt, and guided underlongitudinal movement thereof in a straight slot in the Wall ot the receiver, said receiver having a shell-exit communicating with its open bottom, and means for releasing the shell from its support when in line with such exit, substantially as specified.

22. In small-arms, the magazine, means for cutting olif the magazine, the breech-bolt arranged to have a rotary and a longitudinal movement in the receiver, which is open at the bottom thereof, the sleeve having bearings in the side walls of the receiver, moving longitudinally with such bolt, and in which it rotates, the extractor carried by said sleeve, means carried by said sleeve and acting in' connection With such extractor to support the shell as it is Withdrawn, the

handle-lever upon the bolt, the cam-slot inthe breech-casing in which said lever locks, and in which it Works to start the retraction of the bolt and shell, lugs upon said bolt Working in arcuate slots of the receiver, one of said lugs being guided under longitudinal movement thereof in a straight slot of said receiver, said receiver having a shell-exit communicating with 'its open bottom, and means whereby the shell is released from its su pport when in line With such exit, substantially as specified.

23. In small-arms, the magazine, means for cutting olf such magazine, a breech-bolt having a longitudinal and a rotary movement in the receiver, which is provided With an open bottom, a sleeve having bearings in the side Wall of said receiver, moving longitudinally therewith, and in which it rotates, the extractor carried by said sleeve, means carried by said sleeve and acting in connection With such extractor to support the shell, said receiver having a shell-exit communicating With its open bottom, and means whereby the shell.

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Which the shell is brought in line under movementof the bolt and sleeve, and means for retracting such shelf at the proper time to allow the shell to escape through such exit,

substantially as specified.

25. In small-arms, the magazine, means for cutting ott such magazine, the breech-bolt ar-V ranged to have a longitudinal and a rotary movement, the sleeve having bearings in the frame, moving longitudinally with such bolt, and in Which the bolt rotates, an extractor carried by said sleeve and engaging the up- IIO IIS

per portion of the shell, a shelf carried by i said sleeve and arranged to slide under the shell as it is retracted and hold it in engagement with such extractor, means for slightly retracting the bolt and shell through such rotary movement of the bolt, the exit With which said shell is brought in line under longitudinal movement of said bolt and sleeve, and means for retracting said shelf at the proper time to allow the shell to escape through such exit, substantially as speciied.

26. In small-arms, the magazine, means for cutting off such magazine, the breech-bolt arranged to have a longitudinal and a rotary movement, the sleeve having bearings in the frame moving longitudinally With the bolt, and in which it rotates, an extractor carried f by said sleeve, and engaging the upper portion of the shell, a shelf carried by said sleeve, and arranged to slide under the shell as it is retracted, the handle-lever upon the bolt, the cam-slot in the frame, in which said lever locks, and in which it works to partly retract the bolt and shell, a lug upon said bolt work,- ing in an arcuate slot of the frame to lock the bolt, and having a movement in a straight slot of such frame to prevent any rotation of the bolt throughout lthe longitudinal movement thereof, the exit with which said shell is brought in line underlongitudinalv movement of thebolt and sleeve, and means for retracting such shelf at the proper time to allow the shell to escape through such exit, substantially as speciiied.

27. In small-arms, the magazine, means for cutting OIT the magazine, the breech-bolt arranged to have a longitudinal and a rotary movement, the sleeve having longitudinal ribs provided with bearings in the frame, moving longitudinally with such bolt, in which the bolt rotates, and gripping the shell, the exit with which the shell is brought in line under longitudinal movement of the bolt and sleeve, means whereby the shell is released from such grip to escape through such exit when in line therewith, the eccentric upon the bolt, and the eccentric-strap connected with the shaft of the hammer of the piece, and having guide-grooves therein engaged by the ribs of said sleeve, substantially as specied.

28. In small-arms,the magazine,and the barrel arranged to move downwardly at the breech end in register with such magazine, substantially as specified.

29. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel arranged to move downwardly at the breech end in register with such magazine,and means for automatically im pelling the cartridges from the magazine into the chamber, substantially as specified.

3U. In small-arms, the magazine, the barrel arranged to move downwardly at the breech end in register with such magazine, means for effecting such movement of the barrel, and. means for returning the barrel to normal position, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL J. EVANS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE M. ANDERSON, HARRY L. AMER. 

